Clarinet

Are your going to Alameda County Fair?

| amygreenberg925

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It was a fun afternoon at the Alameda County Fair – my daughter played bari sax at the horse race stadium with her middle school band. It was such a wonderful year of music at her middle school – I feel so fortunate that we are part of the music community.

Today was a perfectly beautiful day – not too hot! We headed over to the adult art area and found my painting on display. I don’t know if I will ever get use to this experience of seeing my art in some place other than my studio or home.

Overall, it was a beautiful day!

Ligature

| amygreenberg925

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Did a quick painting for day 17 of the #30paintingsin30days challenge. “Ligature” is a 8×8 acrylic painting on wood panel. The ligature is an important part of the clarinet – it holds the reed in place on the mouthpiece.

I remember declaring to my painting teacher that I will not paint a reflective surface because I just did not want to deal with the thousands of subtle colors. My teacher was wise and encouraged me to do just that. Face the things that are a challenge – purposely embrace it – stick with it. Great life lessons.

 

 

clarinet

| amygreenberg925

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Day 15 (which happens to be my anniversary) of the #30paintingsin30days challenge. Another examination of the clarinet. I worked off a photo found here – I loved the yellow background and the orientation to the left. From looking at my own instrument, I see some areas that I might switch around.

“The clarinet has always been my baby. I just didn’t know that for a while.” –  Anat Cohen

Octave Key

| amygreenberg925

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Okay – this is a pencil drawing, not technically a painting. It’s my day 10 of the #30paintingsin30days anyway. This is another clarinet piece – Octave. I love the face singing “ooh”- I think the clarinet is a singing instrument.

 

Clarinet

| amygreenberg925

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Day 9 of the #30paintingsin30days – I worked a bit more on this piece and can see a few more spots to continue working on. I dug up my first clarinet and used it to help me find shapes. Usually I just use a photo if I am painting an object. It was nice to have a tangible object to work with. Nice to reconnect with my clarinet.

 

The Sweet Spot

| amygreenberg925

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Day 8 in the #30paintingsin30days challenge. This is an acrylic painting on wood panel (12×12). I play clarinet and just adore all aspects of it (with the exception of the sound of an A note). It’s elegant looking (black and silver), perfectly sized and has a versatile sound (Jazz to orchestra). While I admit, it is not a “cool” instrument – doubt we’ll get a charismatic politician to play it on a late night show nor will we get a Clarence Clemons like figure to play clarinet in the rock world. I could still dream! I also kinda like it not being cool.

I titled this the “Sweet Spot” because it is focused on the lower joint. This is where you’ll find the keys for the lower register, the sweet spot of the clarinet’s sound.

Clarinet as art

| amygreenberg925

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This is a work in progress/study.  I am working from a wonderful photo I found (check it out here).  I have to say, I much prefer working with brushes versus the poured paint. Back to my comfort zone!

I love the lower register of the clarinet. This is where the best sounds are found. I’m still deciding if the orientation is going to bother me. When you play, the keys that look like fingernails, are at the bottom. When I turn the canvas around, it just doesn’t look correct.